Microsoft account transition to local currency

Frequently asked questions

What has changed?

Microsoft Points have been retired. Transactions on Xbox One and Xbox 360 are taking place using your local currency* instead of Microsoft Points, offering you a new, convenient way to purchase exciting Xbox content. This change allows you to use a single Microsoft account to purchase a variety of content from your Xbox One or Xbox 360, the Windows Store on a Windows 8.1 tablet or PC, and the Windows Phone Store on a Windows Phone 8. Availability of content for purchase varies by device and region.

How does this change affect me?

Any Microsoft Points you had remaining in your Microsoft account have been retired, and we’ve added to your Microsoft account an amount in your local currency equal to or greater than the Xbox stores’ value of your Microsoft Points. This value we added is promotional and will remain in your Microsoft account through June 1, 2015. However, the currency you purchase and add to your account will not expire. You can use your local currency or an Xbox gift card (denominated in your local currency), in addition to other current payment methods available in your region, to purchase your favorite content on your Xbox One or Xbox 360.

What happens to my Microsoft Points cards?

If you still have Microsoft Points cards or codes, you may redeem them on your console or Xbox.com, and we’ll add to your Microsoft account an amount of currency equal to or greater than the Xbox stores’ value of your Microsoft Points card or code (Xbox stores include the Xbox Games Store, Xbox Video Store, and Xbox Music Store). Microsoft has no plans to discontinue acceptance of previously purchased Microsoft Points cards and codes, until further notice. The promotional value we put in your Microsoft account will expire one year from the date the Microsoft Points cards or codes are redeemed. Applies to US/Canada only: we will not apply taxes when you spend the currency that we add to your account at the time you redeem your Microsoft Points card or code. Availability of Microsoft Points cards varies by region.

What if I had an Xbox Live Gold Family Pack?

No action is required from you. Your Microsoft account was transitioned to local currency when the Xbox Live Gold Family Pack was converted to an individual Xbox Live Gold membership.

Microsoft Points are being retired in all regions. Content previously available for purchase with Microsoft Points is now available for purchase with currency in the following places:

Argentina

France

Mexico

Spain

Australia

Germany

Netherlands

Sweden

Austria

Greece

New Zealand

Switzerland

Belgium

Hong Kong SAR

Norway

Taiwan

Brazil

Hungary

Poland

Turkey

Canada

India

Portugal

United Arab Emirates

Chile

Ireland

Russia

United Kingdom

Colombia

Israel

Saudi Arabia

United States

Czech Republic

Italy

Singapore

Denmark

Japan

Slovakia

Finland

Korea

South Africa

How did Microsoft determine the amount of currency added to my Microsoft account?

To make this a seamless and positive experience for our customers, we have considered many factors to help ensure that the amount added to your Microsoft account is of equal or greater Xbox stores’ value than your Microsoft Points. The value of Microsoft Points in Xbox stores may not always be equivalent to retail price. Retail price is determined by the retailer, whereas the Xbox stores’ value reflects the value of Microsoft Points throughout Xbox stores.

What happens to my Xbox Live Rewards?

In August 2013, all of your earned pending Microsoft Points were added to your account. When your account transitioned, we added to your account an amount of currency equal to or greater than the Xbox stores’ value of your Microsoft Points, inclusive of the value of your Xbox Live Rewards, and your Microsoft Points were retired.

If some or all of the currency in my Microsoft account has expiration dates, how can I make sure I use the earliest expiring currency first?

If you choose to use the currency in your Microsoft account for a purchase, we automatically use the earliest expiring currency first.

Will I be able to purchase currency online for my Microsoft account?

Xbox gift cards are available for purchase through our online retailers’ websites and in local retail stores. Availability of Xbox gift cards varies by region. These gift cards can be added to your Microsoft account online.

How do I redeem my codes?

To redeem a code on your Xbox One:

Make sure your console is connected to broadband Internet.

Say “Xbox, use a code” or select Xbox Store.

Select Browse Games.

Select Use a Code.

Follow the instructions on screen, using the code at the bottom of the card.

To redeem a code on your Xbox 360:

Sign in to Xbox Live using the Microsoft account for which you want to use the code.

Press the Guide button on the controller.

Go to Games & Apps and select Redeem Code.

Enter the 25-character prepaid code and select Done.

When prompted, click Yes to confirm the redemption.

After your Microsoft account has transitioned on an Xbox One or Xbox 360, you can also redeem your codes on Xbox.com:

No. Currency in your Microsoft account can’t be transferred to another Microsoft account. Xbox gift cards make great gifts and can be purchased in retail locations or through any of our online retailers’ websites. Xbox gift card availability varies by region.

Do I have to use the currency in my Microsoft account as my primary payment method?

No. Currency is set up as a default primary payment method, but you can add or use any other payment methods available in your region, including credit cards.

Can I split payment between my local currency and a credit card?

Yes. For most purchases, if the amount of local currency in your Microsoft account is not sufficient to pay for the content, you can charge the remainder to your credit card or PayPal account. PayPal availability varies by region. However, you must first select to purchase using your credit card or PayPal account, and then you will see the option to use the remaining currency in your account. Split payment may not be an option for all content purchases.

Will I be taxed on the content that I buy in Xbox stores?

We will not apply taxes when you purchase content using currency that we add to your account at the time of the transition. However, when you use currency that youadd to your account after the transition (including from Xbox gift cards), all appropriate taxes will be applied to those purchases.

What happens to the value added tax (VAT) that I paid during my Microsoft Points purchase? Do I have to pay VAT twice?

No. For regions with VAT we will add currency equal to or greater than the Xbox stores’ value (including VAT) of your Microsoft Points back into your Microsoft account at the time of transition; therefore you will only pay VAT once.

Why are some in-game Downloadable Content (DLC) Packs still priced in Microsoft Points?

The in-game prices you’ll see initially for some DLC Packs do not display in currency for in-game purchases. If you notice a DLC Pack is priced in Microsoft Points, please proceed with the purchase as usual by clicking the Download or Purchase button to see the purchase price in currency. When you confirm your purchase, the transaction will complete in currency.

Where can I use the currency in my Microsoft account?

The currency in your Microsoft account can be used to buy a variety of content from your Xbox One or Xbox 360, the Windows Store on a Windows 8.1 tablet or PC, and the Windows Phone Store on a Windows Phone 8 and on Xbox.com. Availability of content for purchase varies by device and region.

Can I buy an Xbox Live Gold membership with the currency in my Microsoft account?

The currency in your Microsoft account can’t be used to buy an Xbox Live Gold membership at this time.

Can I buy music with the currency in my Microsoft account?

You can use the currency in your Microsoft account to sign up for an Xbox Music Pass on Xbox One or in the Xbox Music app on a Windows 8.1 tablet or PC. For additional information on using Xbox Music, please visit Xbox Music. Dates and availability of music for purchase varies by device and region. See regional availability grid below.

Can I buy or rent movies and TV shows with the currency in my Microsoft account?

You can purchase or rent the latest movies and TV shows through the Xbox Video app, available now on your Xbox One, Xbox 360, a Windows 8.1 tablet or PC, a Windows Phone 8, or at XboxVideo.com. For additional information, please visit Xbox Video. Dates and availability of movies and TV shows varies by device and region. See regional availability grid below.

Can I still purchase movies, TV shows, and music on Zune?

Zune Marketplace no longer supports rental or purchase of content. After your Microsoft account transitions to local currency, your Microsoft Points will be retired and you will no longer be able to rent or buy content on Zune Marketplace. For additional information on these changes, please see Important changes are coming to Zune Marketplace.

Where can I get Xbox Music and Xbox Video?

Pass & purchase of songs

Xbox Video: Movies

Xbox Video: TV

United States

United States

United States

UK

UK

UK

France

France

France

Italy

Italy

Italy

Australia

Australia

Australia

Spain

Spain

Spain

Germany

Germany

Germany

Canada

Canada

Canada

Netherlands

Netherlands

Switzerland

Switzerland

Belgium

Belgium

Austria

Austria

Austria

Ireland

Ireland

Ireland

New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand

Portugal

Norway

Norway

Sweden

Sweden

Sweden

Finland

Finland

Finland

Mexico

Mexico

Mexico

Denmark

Denmark

Denmark

Brazil

Brazil

Brazil

Japan**

Japan

Japan

Norway

Argentina

Will this impact my ability to use my Zune Music Pass?

No. You will still be able to stream or download songs with your Zune Music Pass. If you are on the original Zune Music Pass, you will also continue to be able to redeem your 10 monthly song credits through the Zune Marketplace.

Can I use my Microsoft account to buy third-party subscriptions, such as Netflix, Vudu HD movies, HBO GO, or Hulu Plus?

No. Third-party subscriptions are not available for purchase through Xbox stores.

Can I redeem currency from a different region in my account?

No. You can only redeem currency from the region associated with your account.*